I've reached the point in my climbing career where my climbing partners are becoming unwilling to lead on my rack. While this is fine for me as I prefer leading anyway, I feel it is unfair to them, and I like sharing the lead sometimes. Some of my gear (friends and cams in particular) is reaching the 15 year-old mark, way beyond the recommended replacement time for slings and quickdraw webbing.

I have thought of simply replacing the exisiting sewn webbing with knotted sling tape (such as the new slinky tubular candyfloss-type), but would prefer stiched versions for better handling and safety. Any ideas if thie knot-method is adequate, and if (k)not, is there anyone who can stitch news sling tape to the specified standard?

Hi Steven, not sure where abouts in RSA you are but i know Hi Angle on Lansdown road, Rondebosch probably could do it for you safely. they manufacture rated harnesses, slings etc. would think it about R100 a piece. otherwise Scavenger perhaps?

The knotted webbing will be fine, just use a tape/water knot (see www.animatedknots.com if you don't know what it is). The knot will weaken the 22kN tape by ~30% to around 15kN which is WAY more than you will ever achieve in a fall even if you take a factor 2 fall.

Talk about knotted slings - what about knotting the new skinny dynex/dyneema slings ( < 10mm) with a double fisherman's?
Has anyone done that to re-sling cams? Is the double fisherman's the right knot to use?

Thanks for all the replies, advice and contacts. I am torn (no pun intended!) between buying the dynema and doing water/tape knots, or having a more professional stiching job done. I will make some enquiries as to the costs and make a choice thereafter...

Sooo you seriously think that your cams are ok after 15 years & that it is only the webbing that needs replacing? Hmmm I dunno. My old BD cams (ladder type) have had to have the trigger wires replaced but I hardly ever fall on them (never, really), so I can carry on using them indefinately, right? Seriously I think one should start considering phasing in a few new pieces every year until your rack is "current".

We all need to be careful we do not end up climbing with ancient gear, as this will ultimately push back your safety margins. Whether old gear is safe is up to you, but new gear comes with guarantees!